> [Quest Timer: 06:13]
Zane weaved through trees, breath ragged but mind sharp. The map from the system burned in his vision, and the glowing markers made one thing clear—they were closing in.
If they're faster than me, then I just have to be smarter.
He reached a fork in the woods. A whisper of movement behind him confirmed what he'd hoped for.
"They're splitting up."
He broke left, heading toward the ravine. The wind picked up—golden eyes flashed behind him.
He made sure to stumble, just once. Just enough to let her gain on him. She took the bait without hesitation.
By the time he reached the jagged edge of the ravine, the wind shifted. Auri landed a few meters behind him, eyes locked on her prey.
"No more tricks," she said. "Nowhere left to run."
Zane turned around, hands up. "You know, you've got a really intense vibe. Kind of hot, actually."
"I mean, the eyes, the speed, the whole 'I'll break your legs' energy. You could totally be the mysterious lead in some academy drama."
Auri tilted her head. "Are you flirting with me?"
Zane leaned casually against a tree near the edge. "I mean, if I'm going to get obliterated, I might as well go out talking to the prettiest person I've seen since waking up starving."
Auri's expression flickered—somewhere between confused, amused, and annoyed. "You think that's going to save you?"
"No," Zane grinned. "But it bought me about ten seconds."
She glanced up just as he winked—
Zane reappeared across the ravine, perched on a crumbling pillar of stone.
"Catch me if you can!" he called out, turning and sprinting toward the next zone.
Auri stared after him, stunned for a beat.
"...He did not just—"
> [Quest Timer: 05:44]